Commercial Construction Estimator

Sunstall Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Sunstall Inc. is seeking a Commercial Construction Estimator to join our Preconstruction team in Los Angeles. You will drive the estimating process for HOA, multi-family, and commercial projects from bid invitation through turnover.

The role requires 3+ years of commercial estimating experience, deep knowledge of building codes, and proficiency with estimating software and cost-modeling tools. A collaborative, client-facing approach is essential.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in commercial estimating across ground-up, renovations, or TI.

Responsibilities

• Review drawings, specifications, and reports to define project scopes.
• Perform quantity take-offs across divisions for all work.
• Evaluate self-perform vs subcontracted scopes.
• Collaborate with operations to establish productivity rates.
• Develop ROM and conceptual estimates for HOA or commercial studies.
• Lead turnover meetings with the construction team.
• Track time spent on estimating tasks.

Skills

Estimating experience

Reading drawings

Client communication

Team collaboration

Tools

Bluebeam

PlanSwift

Procore

Excel cost modeling

Job description

Position:CommercialConstructionEstimator

Location:LosAngeles,CA(Hybrid)

JobType:Full-Time

Department:Preconstruction

RoleSummary

Weareseekingadetail-orientedandcollaborativeCommercialConstructionEstimatortojoinourPreconstructionteam.Inthisrole,youwilldrivetheestimatingprocessforHOAMulti-FamilyandCommercialprojects rangingfromground-updevelopmentsandtenantimprovementstocommercialrepairsandrestoration frominitialbidinvitationthroughprojectturnover.

Qualifications&Requirements

• Experience:3+yearsofexperienceincommercialconstructionestimating(ground-up,commercialrenovations,tenantimprovements,orcommercialrestoration).
• TechnicalKnowledge:Deepunderstandingofcommercialbuildingcodes,structuralsystems,materials,andCSIMasterFormatdivisions.
• SoftwareProficiency:Hands-onexperiencewithcommercialestimatingsoftware(e.g.,Bluebeam,PlanSwift,Procore,orExcelcost-modelingtools).
• DocumentAnalysis:Provenabilitytoreadandinterpretcommercialarchitecturalprints,structuraldrawings,engineeringreports,andspecifications.
• Communication:Excellentinterpersonalandpresentationskillsforinterfacingwithcommercialclients,developers,architects,andtradepartners.

KeyResponsibilities

CostEstimation&ScopeAnalysis

• DocumentReview:Thoroughlyanalyzeprojectdrawings,specifications,structuralengineeringreports,deficiencyassessments,anddestructivetestingdatatomasterprojectscopes.
• QuantityTake-Offs:Performgranular,accuratequantitytake-offsacrossalldivisionsforscopesofwork.
• ScopeBreakdown:Evaluateself-performcapabilitiesversusscopesrequiringspecializedtradepartners.
• Production&Review:CollaboratewithOperationstoestablishaccurateproductivityratesforself-performwork;reviewfinalizedestimateswithOperationsandManagement.
• SpecializedEstimates:DevelopRoughOrderofMagnitude(ROM)andconceptualestimatesforHOAandcommerciallitigation,early-stageplanning,orfeasibilitystudies.
• ProjectTurnover:Leadofficialturnovermeetingswiththeconstructionteam,presentingfullestimatebreakdowns,risks,andscopespecifics.
• TimeTracking:Trackandlogtimespentonestimatingtasksperproject.

Logistics&Scheduling

• SiteLogistics:PartnerwithOperationstomapoutsiteaccess,staging,craneplacement,trafficcontrol,andtenant/buildingcoordinationforjobsites.
• PreliminarySchedules:CollaboratewithOperationstoconstructrealisticpreliminaryconstructionschedulesforpricingmodels.
• TradePartnerAlignment:Distributepreliminaryschedulesandsitelogisticsplanstocommercialtradepartnerstoensurealignedpricingandoperationalfeasibility.

SiteVisits&DataGathering

• Pre-BidMeetings:Attendallcommercialpre-bidconferences,jobwalks,andsiteinvestigations.
• SiteDocumentation:Accuratelydocumentexistingfieldconditionsthroughdetailednotes,measurements,andphotodocumentation.
• ScopeDefinition:Workalongsideengineeringteams,consultants,anddestructivetestingcrewstodefineprecisecommercialscopesofwork.

Subcontractor&VendorRelations

• RelationshipManagement:Buildandmaintainstrongongoingrelationshipswithsubcontractorsandvendors.
• DatabaseExpansion:Helpbuildandmaintainacompletedatabaseofapprovedtradepartners.
• BidSolicitations:Coordinatethedistributionofproject/biddocumentstoalltradepartnersandvendors.

Client&StakeholderCollaboration

• PrimaryContact:Actasthemainpointofcontactduringthepreconstructionphaseforallprojectstakeholders.
• Cross-DepartmentLiaison:ServeasthecentralliaisonbetweenBusinessDevelopment,Operations,designconsultants,andclients.
• ClientPresentations:Preparepresentationmaterialsandactivelypresentprojectestimatesduringpost-bidinterviewsandclientmeetings.

DocumentControl&ProductResearch

• FileManagement:Maintainorganizedprojectfilesandsystematicallyarchiveallestimatespreadsheets,subcontractorbids,andvendorquotationspercompanystandards.
• Material&ProductResearch:Researchspecifiedmaterials,assemblies,andproducts,compilingproductdatasheetsintodesignatedprojectfolders.